OZDAT
http://www.ozdat.com.au/forum/

My Fairlady (number one)
http://www.ozdat.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14115		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Dave [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:29 am ]
Post subject:  My Fairlady (number one)
Well, I've wanted a fairlady for many years - ever since I saw one in a car yard back in the early 80's.

And now, I've got two :shock: . They were a "package deal" on eBay. Both cars were listed together.

The first one that I picked up today is a 1966 SP311 1600. Its pretty much completely dismantled, and restoration has been half-heartedly commenced, but from what I could see its all there. Doesn't look to have much rust apart from a few patches that have already been cut out and welded up in the floorpan.

My plans for this one are to restore it to original (maybe with the addition of a "stroker" crank from a H20 motor to bring it up to 2 litre)

Here's a pic from the eBay ad. I'll get some more tommorrow.

Attachments:
[ attachment ]
ff2f_12.jpg [ 28.14 KiB | Viewed 4134 times ]
[ attachment ]
e7a7_12.jpg [ 40.75 KiB | Viewed 4134 times ]
[ attachment ]
da2a_12.jpg [ 37.38 KiB | Viewed 4137 times ]
Author:  DattoA10 [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Ive always wondered how these things for size? Ive never seen one myself. Do you have to a midget to drive em like in a MG?

Should be a fun extra project :) wish I had space for another car :(
Author:  Dave [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
They're small. I've driven one, and it was difficult to tell whether I should duck down to look through the windscreen or pop my head up to look over the top of it :shock: . At 6" tall, I look straight into the chrome rail / sunvisor along the top of the windscreen. The later models had an extra 2 inches added to the height of the windscreen to cater for taller americans (which was a big market for them).

I'd guess they're smaller than an MG ? I've driven both MG's and MG Midget's and this feels closer to the Midget in size. I'd have to park them side-by-side to be sure. Closest thing I can find to them by looking through some specs is a Datsun 1200 coupe, they fairlady is 100mm longer, 20mm narrower and almost exactly the same wheelbase and wheel track width. Rough measurement from the ground to the top of the windscreen is 1.2m.

Lucky they're small, cause now I have to fit 5 Datsuns in my shed (along with 4 vintage bikes) :shock: . Still haven't worked out how - the fairladies are going to my brother's for a few months till I can cull some stuff from my shed and re-arrange it a bit.
Author:  Dave [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
And here it is at its new home. One surprise was that the chassis looks to have been restored. Its all painted up nice, as is the diff, and the rear brake lines are all new.

All the parts that came with it are stashed away in the shed, and the car itself is now in my brother's shed (where it will stay till I sell some stuff out of my shed and generally clean it up).

Can't get over how "cute" some of the parts are :giggle: . The windscreen wipers are only about 20 cm long, the front sway bar isn't much thicker than my little finger and the glovebox looks to be made of cardboard :shock:

The dash, however, is just beautiful :thumbsup:

[ img ]
[ img ]

[ img ]
[ img ]

[ img ]
[ img ]
Author:  bob260 [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Very cool, but you cant wait to get started. When the doors are off you really get a good feel for why open top cars get so much flex!
Author:  Stoney [ Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
your dream is fullfilled!!! sort of...

so what priority do these old girls take, last on the list, before/after the 180?
Author:  DattoA10 [ Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
at 6"6 i dont think itd be sensible for me to get one of these then :p
Author:  Dave [ Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
bob260 wrote:
Very cool, but you cant wait to get started. When the doors are off you really get a good feel for why open top cars get so much flex!
Not these little babies - they have a very solid-looking full chassis underneath them.

Yep, can't wait to get started, just not sure whether to do a "quick and dirty" restoration job on one of them just so I have a Datsun I can drive on the street or to leave them until I finish the 180B. There doesn't seem to be much to them, I could probably get one up and running in less than 12 months.

My 12 yo daughter has expressed an interest in having one of them. She reckons they are "way cool" :lol: .
Author:  SR20Datsun [ Mon Sep 08, 2008 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Very nice Dave.

I think you can now be considered a 'fanatic...'
Author:  green200b [ Thu Sep 18, 2008 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Dave wrote:
My 12 yo daughter has expressed an interest in having one of them. She reckons they are "way cool" :lol: .
Back when I was about 9 I saw a Mitsubishi Sigma advertised for $100 in the local paper. At this point in time my life savings amounted to about $80, however when I expressed an interest to my parents it was an immediate "NO". So instead I waited until I ws 14 and bought a Datsun - yeah, that showed them!

Back on topic - it looks like a fun project. I have a friend with one of these, so if you need me to I can put you in contact with someone who deals with lots of these cars!
Author:  Mr Camouflage [ Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Dave wrote:
bob260 wrote:
Very cool, but you cant wait to get started. When the doors are off you really get a good feel for why open top cars get so much flex!
Not these little babies - they have a very solid-looking full chassis underneath them.

Yep. separate chassis cars not like the later Datsuns.

The body is bolted onto one of these:

Attachments:
[ attachment ]
cahssis.jpg [ 19.98 KiB | Viewed 4310 times ]
Author:  Sanouske [ Wed Dec 08, 2010 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
You have got to be pissing in my ear.

Ebay! Gah!

How much did you score all that for? If you dont mind my asking. PM if you prefer to tell.

I have a want for one of these. But i think i will be upset as to not being able to have it just yet.

Need to find one...

Any who, whats the plans. Make 1 from 2 or have a daily and a track one.
Author:  Dave [ Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Original plan was one track, one fully restored.

Current plan is get one running so I can drive it till I finish the 180B SSS, and maybe restore the other for my daughter when she learns to drive (she's 14 now).

I paid $3600 for the lot, basically 2 complete cars. Only major missing parts are one cracked windscreen (need a new one) and one incomplete engine (I've since sourced a complete H20 to take car of that). Although fairly complete, they are also pretty tatty :oops:

If you join http://www.datsun.org.au/ , you may find one for sale in their newsletter, There have been a few for sale recently around $5000 for "projects".
Author:  Sanouske [ Thu Dec 09, 2010 4:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My Fairlady (number one)
Hrm, i would love to snatch a bargain like you did. I want to build up a 910 rally/track car. But over all the other wants, 240z, 1600 etc, i feel a sp311 would suit me to a tee. I just love the front end on them and the simplicity of having just you and the missus out of the sunday drive.

Look forward to the progress as it happens.

Also your daughter will be very lucky. Hot pink, metallic would be odd yet appealing on one. haha
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC+11:00
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited
https://www.phpbb.com/